AAdvantage Standard Mastercard AAdvantage miles 5,000 AAdvantage miles AAdvantage Platinum Mastercard 10,000 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalismTuesday, 12November 2019 mp ournalisTuesday, 12November 2019 ‘SHIPWRECKED’ pirates invade George Town Page 2 and 3 News Budget: Premier delivers US$2B spending plan Page 5 News Hundreds attend 100th Remembrance Day ceremony Page 8 News No movement on same-sex marriage issue until 2020 Page 6• Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) COUNTDOWN (PG13) 12:30 | 2:50 | 5:10 | 7:30 | 9:55 VIP DOCTOR SLEEP (R) 12:25 | 12:45 VIP | 3:45 | 10:00 HARRIET (PG13) 3:45 | 7:05 | 9:50 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) 1:00 | 6:40 | 9:30 PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG) 12:20 | 2:45 | 4:05 VIP | 5:10 | 7:35 | 10:00 TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (R) 12:50 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:45 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA BACK TO THE FUTURE 7:00 VIP PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR CATHERINE MACGILLIVRAY NEWS PRODUCER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MORALES A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION ªGive light and the people will find their own wayº Cloudy skies with a 60% chance of showers and some thunder weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 90°F 78°F HIGH LOW WINDS Southerly at 5 to 10 knots SEA STATE Southerly at 5 to 10 knots MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@compassmedia.ky How do you mount a pirate invasion when you don’t have a pirate ship? That was the challenge facing Cayman’s band of cutthroats this year as they planned their attack on George Town as part of the annual Pirates Week festivities. The tall-masted Jolly Roger that has been a Pirates Week fixture for years was still undergoing repairs after running aground and partially sinking earlier this year. The Grosse Ile, a Canadian schooner that was recruited into service in the past, is no longer plying Cayman waters. Darvin Ebanks, leader of the Bloody Bay Buccaneers, said Pirates Week General Manager Melanie McField came up with a scenario that solved the problem. “Our pirate ship was sunk by the British Navy,” Ebanks said, sitting at the bar in Paradise Restaurant after successfully taking over George Town and putting Governor Martyn Roper in chains. “We were rescued by the catboats.” In fact, to the surprise of many in the crowd lining the waterfront to enjoy the typically hilarious cardboard boat race Saturday morning, two catboats came ashore just as the adult division participants were lined up to launch their soon-to-be-soggy craft. Interrupting the contest, Ebanks and several other pirates leapt from the catboats as they hit the sand, declaring their ship had gone down at sea. Moments later, they spotted a conveniently moored modern sailboat on the dock of Hog Confetti rains down on the float parade. ‘Shipwrecked’ pirates still manage Cayman landing Confetti rains down on the float parade. Cayman landing This pirate emerged from the sea during Saturday's event. cayman compass 2 news N news TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2019Sty Bay, commandeered it and sailed away. Two hours later they would return, the sailboat, with several pirate flags flapping from its rigging, and a trailing tender fully loaded with the scurvy, scowling band of ruffians the Cayman crowd has come to expect. While it may have lacked some of the flair of past years, the energy level of the sneering, snarling, raiders – spouting threats threaded with far more Rs than any other letters in the alphabet – seemed just as potent as ever. The landing had the added feature of a simultaneous performance by the 14-member Caymanite Synchro synchronised swimming team, decked out in gold caps, glitter and mermaid scale leggings. At the same time, from beneath the surface of the water, a barnacled and seaweed-covered John Ferguson – aided by scuba divers – suddenly rose from the sea, stepping onto the beach as Davy Jones to applause from the crowd. The invaders quickly captured the governor as his red coat army surrendered with little fight. Roper said he was enjoying his second Pirates Week experience. “Last year, we had just arrived,” he said, recalling taking office in Cayman. “At least now, I know what to expect.” He lamented that his participation was limited. “I wish they would let me get involved in the kidnapping,” he said prior to the parade. “I have a double to do that. They’re worried about my safety.” Unless his double was a twin, it appeared Roper used his authority to get his wish to be hauled through the crowd by the pirates to a waiting pirate ship parade float. He called Pirates Week is “a wonderful thing for our tourism industry”. Nick Smith, 37, of London, was one of those tourists who came to enjoy the event. He said he timed his first-ever visit with friends living in Cayman to coincide with Pirates Week. “We brought costumes specifically for this,” Smith said, sporting a tricorn hat and a gold brocaded coat. He described the festivities as “really happening”. Steve Kidd, 42, was also visiting from the UK. His costume got a little wetter than he anticipated. Kidd was a member of the Pearl of the Poseidon cardboard boat crew, and fell into the water shortly after the boat was launched. He remained floating offshore, cheering on the Pearl as it sped through the course. But just as it was rounding the rock in the middle of Hog Sty Bay and heading back to shore, well ahead of its closest competitor, Usain Boat, the race announcer reminded the crews that every member had to complete to course or their boat would be disqualified. Kidd was left with only one option: swim for it. He floundered through the water, weighed down by his regalia. “This outfit was not made for swimming,” he said, once back on shore. “I lost my pants three times and had to put them back on. My teammates needed to pull me in the last five metres.” By then, Usain Boat had finished, its crew surprised to learn that even though the Pearl had come ashore first, the trailing Kidd gave them the win. “We heard we won and we were, ‘What?’” said Jess Hughes, 31, of George Town, captain of four-person crew that included her husband and another couple. “We just didn’t want to lose.” More importantly, they didn’t want to sink. Hughes, an English teacher at Cayman Prep and High School, said some of her friends have built and raced boats in previous years, but none have made it back to shore. During the week-long process to build their boat, she said, “We’ve been going through a whole roller coaster of emotions, thinking it was going to sink right away. We thought we were going to bring it home in bin bags.” She looked at the intact vessel on the sand. “I’m not sure what we’re going to do with it,” she said. Other events featured during the festival included an opening night fireworks show on Friday, nighttime soca concerts, a pooch parade, a beach clean-up, an underwater treasure hunt for divers, a turtle release and an illuminated parade Monday evening followed by a closing show of fireworks. Ben and Lorna Twidle, of Savannah, arrived in Cayman two months ago, but began preparing for Pirates Week before that, with costumes they ordered on Amazon. “We knew this was coming, so we prepared for it,” said Ben Twidle, 27, as he and his wife walked the waterfront, impressed by all the activity. “It’s nice to see so much going on.” The pirates parade Governor Martyn Roper through George Town after 'capturing' him. “Last year, we had just arrived . At least now, I know what to expect.” Governor Martyn Roper Davy Jones wanders the streets of George Town. The Cardboard Boat Race, won this year by Usain Boat, usually involves a high degree of drama. cayman compass 3 news N news TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 20191234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 1234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 ACROSS 1 German measles (7) 5 Frosty (5) 8 Escape retribution (3,4,4,2) 9 A tenth part (5) 10 Umbrage (7) 11 Fond of smart clothes (6) 12 Profit from investment (6) 15 Booty (7) 17 Self-possessed (5) 19 Plausible (6-7) 20 Tribal symbol (5) 21 Later than expected (7) DOWN 1 Just claim (5) 2 Face up to duty stoically (4,3,6) 3 Unruly (7) 4 Haphazardly (6) 5 Principal (5) 6 Morally obliged (2,6,5) 7 Decorative design (7) 11 Down payment (7) 13 Distinctive nature (7) 14 Cave (6) 16 A distant ideal (5) 18 Long narrow crest (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16220 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. cartoon Jake Fuller The cruise port will spoil Cayman I am writing today to offer my two cents on the proposed cruise port. We have been to the Cayman Islands many times and it is what I call my ‘Happy Place’. So much so, that in the summer of 2018 I became ill and there were questions as to my survival. While I was in immense pain, I recall my wife telling me to go to my happy place. When I was in the ER, the doctor asked if I knew where I was. I said “Yes, on the beach in Cayman.” The doctor looked confused, but my wife smiled. The Cayman Islands hold a special place in our family’s hearts and the cruise port will ruin the many parts of the island, from the beautiful diving opportunities with by far some of the best spots in the world. We love the safety of the island which is one of the safest places we have ever been. A cruise port will most likely change that. We do not feel harassed by excursion companies on the island which is not the same case on other islands. I hope and pray the government leaders do not change the island dynamics by building the proposed port. Tom Davis What they’re saying Same-sex marriage ruling overturned In ruling for “separate but equal”, the Court of Appeal refused to acknowledge that “separate but equal” is ALWAYS separate – and NEVER equal. You simply cannot on the one hand say that we in the LGBTQ community deserve equal rights (which we do), while on the other hand saying that those rights will be only an equivalent of the rights granted to the straight community. For heaven’s sake, we are ALL human beings. We all deserve IDENTICAL rights. Chief Justice Smellie had it correct from the beginning, and hopefully the Privy Council in London will agree with his wise ruling and overturn the Court of Appeal. – Mark Riviera We will grant you all of the rights of marriage, but we will deny you the name of marriage. The reason for this is that we recognise that you have a moral, human, familial, righteous, and correct claim on us. But we will be [removed] if we will ever recognise you as our human, moral, familial, and righteous equals. This is why there are very few places in the Caribbean that I am willing to visit. – Benin Oakland I can’t believe a so-called modern country can be so backward, the same people celebrating this would be the same people horrified when segregation was overturned. You’re on the wrong side of history! – John-Paul Ashfield What does "legal status equivalent to marriage" even mean? Good grief. Two steps forward, three steps back. Keep fighting the good fight ladies, #loveislove. – Jennifer Grant-McCarthy Can an appeal go to the Privy Council? – Ruth Smestad Anglin LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE! Shame on the Court of Appeal! This is 2020, we're all equal! Separation of church and state please, or are we in the middle ages? – Ellen Cuylaerts Two people who want to enter a lifelong commitment to each other are not a threat to marriage. That is exactly what marriage is. – Mary Jo Holzwarth Silva Marital apartheid - “separate but equal” was not equality. Sad day. (Although haven’t read the judgment yet.) Let’s hope the Bermuda Privy Council case will set a better precedent for our OTs. – Caroline Carrington A very unfortunate ruling! Especially the suggestion by the Court of putting this situation into the hands of the British for final judgement. The cowardice and bigotry being shown across the Caribbean towards LGBTQ+ citizens is scandalous and dishonourable, especially as the history of our region is based upon the most heinous human rights abuses in the history of the World. A LUTA CONTINUA! – Jason Jones Premier presents US$2billion fiscal package He is starting to sound like Trump ... the biggest this and the greatest that ... good grief! – Nadia Stradling Hardie And how much goes towards the failing education system? We can’t even get government to pay or help pay for a playground at Lighthouse School, a school with 117 children with variable needs and they currently have two swings and a trampoline. It’s a disgrace. – Carien Roberts-Harcombe Probably as likely as my own US$2 billion spending plan! – Gethin Huckle I’m very curious to understand how such a large budget can be funded from revenues (indirect taxes) without affecting the exorbitant cost of living and the high cost of doing business negatively in Cayman. – Chris Lopez FridAY'S SOLUTiONS Puzzle 16217 ACROSS: 1 Bacchus, 5 Drake, 8 Albatross, 9 Let, 10 Dash, 12 Struggle, 14 Larder, 15 Mettle, 17 Fanlight, 18 Grip, 21 Orb, 22 Tarantula, 24 Fakir, 25 Embroil. DOWN: 1 Braid, 2 Cub, 3 Hate, 4 Smooth, 5 Disquiet, 6 Alligator, 7 Extreme, 11 Springbok, 13 Register, 14 Lift-off, 16 Charge, 19 Pearl, 20 Snub, 23 UFO. Cruise ships moor off George Town. Letters to the editor 4 news N newsRESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands government has proposed a US$2 billion spending plan for the upcoming two-year budget cycle which includes sweeteners for civil servants, seniors and veterans. Premier Alden McLaughlin said in the Legislative Assembly on Friday that this two-year plan was the “biggest” fiscal package in Cayman’s history. “This is a budget that gives a much-needed boost to older persons and the vulnerable in our community,” McLaughlin said. “It is a budget for families. It is a budget that will bring relief to commuters. It is a budget for opportunities as we bring to fruition the development of WORC [Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman] and continue to drive forwards the improvements [to] our education system.” In his final budget statement before the 2021 general election and his last as premier, McLaughlin focussed on four key issues traffic, housing, healthcare and economic diversification. He said CI$26 million will be allocated per year to cover healthcare costs for seafarers, veterans and medical indigents. Contained in McLaughlin’s initiatives for the two-year budget cycle, 1 Jan. 2020 to 31 Dec. 2021, was a 5% increase in cost-of-living allowances for civil servants starting in January. It also includes a $100 bump in veterans’ and seamen’s monthly payments, from $750 to $850, which will also take effect in January. McLaughlin said that a further $100 rise will follow in January 2021 to take total payments to $950 for those benefitting from the ex gratia payments. McLaughlin zeroed in on the hardships he said senior citizens have been facing, especially those dependent on a fixed income. To help ease that burden, he said, 14 fees or duties will be significantly reduced or waived for people over the age of 65. “The package includes reductions in vehicle licensing fees, duty reductions for mobility scooters and wheelchairs, and reduced post office box rental fees. My own ministry will reduce work permit fees for caregivers of older persons and we will reduce import duties for older persons coming through the airport,” he said. The expected revenue that will be lost through the concessions will total approximately $830,000, he said. McLaughlin said government will also be extending its stamp duty concession for first-time Caymanian homeowners. “The first $400,000 will be duty free regardless of the value of the home. This extends the duty reduction across the full range of likely first-time buyer properties in Cayman. It brings the benefit to more Caymanian first-time buyers as the $30,000 saving will now apply to all properties,” he said. McLaughlin added that legislation will be needed to effect that change. He also said that the budget will complete government’s commitment to increase teachers’ salaries to a monthly minimum of $5,000. Infrastructure and capital projects McLaughlin said there will be increased efforts to deliver on improvements to the local road network to address traffic congestion. “The planned extension of the East-West Arterial road, first to Northward and then through to Lookout in Bodden Town, has been brought forward into this budget period rather than being left until the next as had originally been planned,” he said. Capital projects, including the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility, John Gray High School and the long-term mental health facility will be delivered in the upcoming budget cycle. “The ambitious capital projects we have set out [are] being paid for from revenue without any need to borrow,” the premier said. “The budget also takes forward the much-needed work on a new prison facility to replace the existing male and female prisons at Northward and Fairbanks to provide modern facilities for all types of offenders in a single location,” he added. Touching on the cruise berthing and enhanced cargo facility, the premier said there are no budget allocations planned for 2020/2021. Other initiatives: • Courthouse redevelopment • Support for the National Housing Trust Government Guaranteed Housing Assisted Mortgage programme • Minimum wage review • Fuel market prices review • Doubling of Public Works Department apprenticeship programme • Implementing new governance structure for schools • New Sunrise Centre • New special needs residential facility for children in care • New fire trucks and equipment • New vessels for Customs and Border Control Premier Alden McLaughlin delivers the budget speech at the Legislative Assembly on Friday. Premier outlines two-year spending plan 5% cost-of-living increase for civil servants, $100 more for veterans Government presents record-size budget MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky Finance Minister Roy McTaggart presented a two-year budget on Friday that will exceed $1.6 billion in government revenue and not require new debt nor impose new taxes and fees on the public. The minister expects increasing operating revenues for the years 2020 and 2021, reflecting that “the country’s track record of economic growth is expected to continue without increasing the tax burden on Caymanian families”. Projected operating revenues of $825 million and $849 million in the two budget years will exceed operating and financing expenses by $65.3 million and $75.3 million, respectively, according to government estimates. While the Cayman Islands government aims to continue to pay down debt in the next two years, reducing core government debt by about $70 million, the budget also includes capital investments into infrastructure and statutory authorities of $182.6 million in 2020 and $121.4 million in 2021. Few countries in the world are able to generate budget surpluses in the way Cayman has done in recent years, McTaggart said, noting that fewer than 20% of governments took in more revenue than they spent. “The Cayman Islands ranks 7th in the world with a budget surplus equal to 4.4% of our GDP,” he said. The continued strategy of generating surpluses would build cash reserves, fund the planned capital investments and eliminate the need for new borrowing, the finance minister added. Later this month, government will repay a $261.3 million bullet bond when it comes due and refinance about $153 million of that debt with a loan. In the process, government will reduce its net debt by $108.3 million in 2019 alone. The 2020/21 budget takes into account the growing potential for a slowdown in the global economy as predicted most recently by the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook in October. Compared to the average annual GDP growth of 3% in recent years, government is working on the assumption that local economic growth is going to slow somewhat to 2.2% in both 2020 and 2021. But despite any headwind in the global economy, the minister said, the fundamentals of Cayman’s economy were strong. “Our key macro- economic indicators are telling the story clearly,” McTaggart said. He noted that his government was a proponent of economic freedom and believes “the best place for the dollars earned by the hard work and enterprise of Caymanians is in their pockets, not in the government coffers”. Government had to support growth and, as far as possible, keep out of the way of private sector growth by minimising the administrative and financial burden imposed on local businesses. The budget would therefore maintain duty concessions that are already in place. They are reduced import duties on fuel used by CUC to generate electricity, for licensed traders and on building materials, as well as reduced trade and business license fees for new licensees, lower stamp duties for first-time Caymanian property buyers and incentives for the Sister Islands. Major spending projects by the government include education, technical and vocational training, community policing, child protection, a residential mental health facility, traffic management, border protection and the Coastguard unit. Government will also establish a new Ministry for International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs and support financial services policy functions and the Monetary Authority to keep pace with international regulatory changes. Additional staff required for these functions is expected to increase personnel costs across government to $363.6 million in 2020 and $373.5 million and 2021. The finance minister painted a rosy picture of public finances overall, stating that six years ago it scarcely seemed possible that government’s finances would be in the position they are in today, citing: “Five years of 3% growth, falling unemployment and projections for continuing growth. Year-on-year budget surpluses, growing investment in public services and infrastructure, and reducing public sector debt.” Finance Minister Roy McTaggart gives details of the 2020 and 2021 budgets in the Legislative Assembly on Friday. 5 news N newsNo movement on same-sex marriage issue until 2020 Premier says attention is on budget, referendum RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Government is unlikely to deal with the issue of same-sex marriage until early 2020. So said Premier Alden McLaughlin on Friday as he addressed, in the Legislative Assembly, the Court of Appeal decision to set aside the chief justice’s ruling in the Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush case. The appeals court ruling, which was handed down on Thursday, ordered the government to “expeditiously” provide Day and Bodden Bush with legal status equivalent to marriage. “Given that we have before us a two-year budget to get through, as well as a referendum, I do not see this honourable House turning our attention to this issue before early next year,” McLaughlin said. This came even as Governor Martyn Roper, just moments before the premier’s speech, called on legislators to act with “reasonable haste” to deal with the court’s ruling. In his Throne Speech, Roper urged lawmakers to temper their words when dealing with the issue of same-sex marriages. “As governor, and representative of Her Majesty the Queen, it is my strong wish that, despite strong beliefs and opinions, everyone in this honourable House treats everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect,” Roper said. Thursday’s Court of Appeal ruling overturned Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s decision in March to rewrite the local Marriage Law and alter the definition of marriage. The premier, during his budget statement, said he expects the Legislative Assembly to consider “this matter expeditiously, but we cannot do so hastily”. As the government makes its way to the issue, McLaughlin urged fellow legislators to read and carefully consider the Court of Appeal judgment. He said the matter cannot be avoided any longer. “I believe the responsible thing for this House to do is to face up to this issue and take its own decision,” he said. If not, McLaughlin said, the decision will be made for the Cayman Islands and that is an option no one would want. “It is clear to me that if this legislature does not provide the legal framework that provides the protections for same-sex couples in a form that is acceptable to all Caymanians, then undoubtedly we will end up with the UK levying upon us protections that suit them rather than us,” he said. McLaughlin contended that Cayman has “rightly complained” that on occasion the UK has overreached by interfering in matters that should be decided by Caymanians. “By the same token, we cannot abdicate responsibility for taking the hard decisions when they are staring us in the face,” he said. The premier pointed out that he was pleased that the Court of Appeal had agreed with government that the original ruling of the chief justice “created significant ambiguity” surrounding the Constitution and Bill of Rights, as well as the interpretation of and ability of the court to amend laws. Miller supports civil partnerships Bryan says he will be guided by survey JAMES WHITTAKER, ANDREL HARRIS jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky, aharris@compassmedia.ky Former Opposition leader Ezzard Miller has given his backing to domestic partnerships legislation following the Court of Appeal’s ruling on same-sex marriage. The appeals panel overturned Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s decision to legalise same-sex marriage last week but ordered the government to “expeditiously” provide Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush with legal status equivalent to marriage. Premier Alden McLaughlin has indicated that government will bring legislation in the new year. He said if government did not act, based on the court’s order, it would likely face an order in council from the UK. It is not yet clear what level of support civil partnerships – which confer the legal rights of marriage for same-sex couples but not the name ‘marriage’ – would get from the government’s own benches, let alone the Legislative Assembly as a whole. Several legislators who have been opposed to such a move in the past, including Education Minister Juliana O'Connor- Connolly, have so far declined to comment. North Side independent legislator Miller said he had no issue with domestic partnerships legislation. “I support the creation of bespoke legislation to create civil unions with all the benefits afforded to married people. I would also like to see Caymanian common law marriages included in the same law,” he said. George Town Central legislator Kenneth Bryan said he would be guided by the people in how he would vote. He said the issue should have been put to the public long before now and suggested the upcoming Caymanian Voice National Survey would give a clear indication of how voters felt about the subject. “I predicted there was a high probability that the court would have to send this issue back to the legislature to chose how they want to deal with it. That is why I say it is something that should have been put to the people,” he said. “My initiative is now more relevant than it has ever been,” he said of his survey, which will canvas public opinion on both same-sex marriages and civil unions, as well as a host of other topics on Referendum Day, 19. Dec. He said the results of that poll would guide his thinking on any legislation that comes before the house. He added, “If the majority in my constituency say they don’t accept same-sex marriages or civil unions, then my job is to represent them.” He said this was true, despite the threat of an order in council from the UK, if the Caymanian legislature does not act. “As I said in my original debate, we are children in our mother’s house. We are still subject to the rule of the UK,” he said. Bryan hopes to poll at least 10,000 people in a survey conducted from tents close to the polling stations where people will cast their votes in the separate cruise port referendum. Ezzard Miller It is not yet clear what level of support civil partnerships – which confer the legal rights of marriage for same-sex couples but not the name ‘marriage’ – would get from the government’s own benches, let alone the Legislative Assembly as a whole . Governor Martyn Roper addresses the issue of the Court of Appeals same-sex marriage ruling during his Throne Speech on Friday. Vickie Bodden Bush, left, and Chantelle Day, outside court on Thursday following the Court of Appeal decision. “As governor, and representative of Her Majesty the Queen, it is my strong wish that, despite strong beliefs and opinions, everyone in this honourable House treats everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect.” Governor Martyn Roper 6BE INFORMED supPORTOurTourism.com Cruise and Cargo Port Facility PUBLIC MEETINGS The conversation about whether or not to build a cruise terminal has been ongoing for more than 25 years. We now stand at a pivotal point and must choose which way to go. Come and hear officials from Government and Verdant Isle Port Partners speak about the project and have your questions answered. ALL MEETINGS START AT 7PM TUESDAY12th NovemberMary Miller Hall, Prospect & Red Bay THURSDAY14th NovemberFamily Life Centre, George Town East, South & West TUESDAY19th NovemberJohn A Cumber Primary School Hall, West Bay THURSDAY 21st NovemberElmslie Memorial Church Hall, George Town North & Central SATURDAY23rd NovemberSavannah Primary School Hall, Savannah & Newlands TUESDAY26th NovemberBodden Town Civic Centre, Bodden Town East & West TUESDAY3rd DecemberEast End Civic Centre, East End THURSDAY5th DecemberNorth Side Civic Centre, North Side Existing Cargo Port 2015 Design New Design LEGEND JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Scanners capable of reading data from vehicles have been installed on the Camana Bay tunnel on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway. The scanners, fixed to the top of the tunnel in all three lanes, can read information from the electronic number plates now fitted to most Cayman vehicles. Once the system is operational, the machines will scan the vehicle plates or tags and immediately determine if the car’s licence, registration and other details are up to date. The information will be fed back to the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure and, ultimately, the police. It is believed to be the first step towards automated ticketing for some motoring offences. Charles Brown, a senior policy advisor in the ministry, confirmed that the scanners were for the Electronic Vehicle Recognition system. “They are not presently operational as the installations are ongoing. The public will be advised when they become operational,” he said. The Department of Vehicle and Drivers Licensing has switched over thousands of the cars on Cayman’s roads to new electronic licence plates fitted with radio frequency identification tags. Traffic police are getting RFID readers that will be able to scan the plates or tags. In an earlier interview, Brown told the Cayman Compass that the long-term goal was to integrate government’s computer systems to allow the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service to use the scanners to check for motoring offences linked to the vehicle or driver. Eventually, he said, it could be used for automatic ticketing. “The long-term game is to capture road offences, things like suspended drivers licences, disqualifications and insurances. “The changes in the traffic law give us the opportunity to link with the court system when the court is ready,” Brown said. At this stage though, the scanners will simply allow government to quickly determine if a car is licenced, registered and insured. The information will be made available to police. The Holland America cruise ship Veendam was sitting off George Town Saturday when it temporarily lost power and began drifting, according to Port Authority operations manager Will Jacobs. Jacobs said a tugboat was enlisted to push the ship back into position. He said the ship did not hit the reef. He said the ship was in 60 feet of water and has a draft of 28 feet. “There was no issue with any coral,” he said. Tugboat repositions drifting cruise ship Vehicle plate scanners at Camana Bay overpass These vehicle scanners are in place at the entrance of the road tunnel at Camana Bay. A tugboat and tender boats push a drifting cruise ship into position in George Town harbour on Saturday. cayman compass 7 news N news TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2019Master’s in Human Resource Management (MSc HRM) fully taught on-island, starting on 27 April 2020 The University of Portsmouth is once again bringing their highly successful Masters in HRM to the Cayman Islands. The University of Portsmouth is delighted to be offering a 6th Masters in HRM to be delivered by University of Portsmouth Faculty on island from 27 April 2020. The first two academic years are fully taught on island and these are followed by a supervised research-based project. This programme is perfect for HR professionals and senior managers who wish to enhance their people management knowledge and skills, acquire a Master’s degree in HRM and boost their career. Marjorie Corbridge from the University of Portsmouth, is holding an Open House Thursday 14 November 3rd floor George Town Central Library 4:00pm to 5:30PM Please call in to find out more about our masters from Marjorie, she is looking forward to seeing you. If you are unable to make it at this time, Marjorie will be happy to discuss this with you please contact Marjorie at: marjorie.corbridge@port.ac.uk MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@compassmedia.ky Heavy rain accented the sombre music played by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service band at a Remembrance Day event held Sunday at Elmslie Memorial Church in George Town, forcing organisers to move the last part of the traditional wreath laying ceremony inside the church. A crowd of several hundred, including the uniformed brigades from the police service, Cadet Corps and other organisations, marked the 100th anniversary of the annual memorial that honours those who lost their lives in military conflicts, including those from the Cayman Islands. A two-minute silence was observed for the fallen. Andrew McLaughlin, head of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association, said he was pleased to see the crowd. “So many people forget the sacrifices that were made to bring us to where we are,” said McLaughlin, who served 22 years in the US Marine Corps, retiring as a master sergeant. “It’s so nice to have people remember.” Dignitaries, including Governor Martyn Roper, Premier Alden McLaughlin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly McKeeva Bush, were on hand to provide brief readings and participate in the laying of the wreaths. This was the first year in which the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories laid wreaths at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London. Roper said it was fitting to include Cayman in those honours. “In January 1916, around 300 Caymanians signed up voluntarily to the British Merchant Navy,” Roper said in a statement. “The Cayman Islands Government will now join the rest of the UK family to commemorate the sacrifices made by those Caymanian recruits as they defended our freedom, way of life and democracy. We must never take their sacrifices for granted. Being included in such an important ceremonial event is an honour.” A ceremony also took place in Cayman Brac. District Commissioner Ernie Scott gave an address followed by Major George Walton who read the poem ‘Why Do You Still March Old Man?’ Deputy District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts called out the names on the Cenotaph of the Caymanian men who lost their lives during World War I and World War II. Veteran Larry Rotchell, who retired as a lieutenant colonel after 37 years in the British Army, said his and his Caymanian wife’s families have both experienced loss during wartime. “It’s a sense of duty to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Rotchell said of Sunday’s ceremony. “Just to pay respect to them.” Another veteran, Graham Walker, said it is especially important to mark the occasion as fewer and fewer veterans from World War II remain. He looked skyward. “The parade is up there,” he said. Rain dampens, but does not diminish remembrance “So many people forget the sacrifices that were made to bring us to where we are. It’s so nice to have people remember.” Andrew McLaughlin , Cayman Islands Veterans Association Members of the Cadet Corps stood in place around the Cenotaph on Sunday during the wreath-laying ceremony. Premier Alden McLaughlin bows his head after laying a wreath in memory of the war dead. Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush spends a moment in silence before the Cenotaph. Governor Martyn Roper lays a wreath at the Cenotaph in George Town on Remembrance Sunday.Members of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday. 8William Ernest Dawson 16th June 1929 – 12th Nov 2017 Time Slips by And life goes on But from our hearts You are never gone With love always & forever Your children, Grandchildren & Great grandchildren In Loving memory of The courthouse building in downtown George Town. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The Court of Appeal has upheld a sexual harm prevention order imposed on a convicted rapist and burglar. Ronnie Rodney Ebanks is currently serving a six-year prison sentence after being convicted of gross indecency in December 2017. At the time of the sentencing, the judge also imposed a seven-year sexual harm prevention order on Ebanks. Ebanks was the first person to have such an order imposed on him. Ebanks was sentenced in relation to an incident that occurred on 13 Feb. 2017, when he broke into a bedroom of a West Bay Road condo. With his shirt pulled over his head, Ebanks performed lewd acts on himself in the presence of the victim, a tourist who was visiting Cayman with her family. On Friday, Ebanks’ lawyer, Laurence Aiolfi, claimed the imposition of the sexual harm prevention order directly contravened Ebanks’ human rights and was also tantamount to an undue penalty. Aiolfiargued that at the time when Ebanks committed the crime, 13 Feb. 2017, the court did not have the power to impose sexual harm prevention orders. Aiolfipointed the appeal court to Section 8(1) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 Bill of Rights. That section, titled ‘No punishment without law’, states, “No one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence under national or international law at the time when it was committed; nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the criminal offence was committed.” The ability to impose sexual harm prevention orders did not come into effect until May 2017, three months after the offence occurred. However, in August 2017, the law was amended to include existing crimes. As a result, when Ebanks was sentenced in December 2017, the judge drew on the powers to impose the order retroactively. The order prohibits the offender from doing anything that is described in the document. The provisions for Ebanks include that he is not allowed to go to any residence or premises between 7pm and 6am without an invitation from the resident or a lawful reason for being there. During the same hours, he cannot loiter around any such property. Additionally, Ebanks has to notify the police commissioner in writing, and at least three days in advance, if he will be leaving Cayman for at least 14 days and include details of locations and accommodations. He must also notify the police commissioner in writing in advance of any changes to, or applications for, any identity documents. Aiolfiargued that, firstly, the order was an excessive penalty on Ebanks, and, secondly, even though there were retroactive clauses, it was not fitting in Ebanks’ case. He said that, ultimately, the sentence was a direct breach of Ebanks’ human rights under the no punishment without law provision. “We say that the subsequent restriction of Mr. Ebanks’ freedom and personal liberties by the [sexual harm prevention] order serves as a penalty,” said Aiolfi. “Therefore, the order ought to be construed in light of Section 8 of the Bill of Rights, and when one does, we say it directly breaches Mr. Ebanks’ rights.” The judges disagreed with Aiolfi. When offering their reasons for declining the appeal, they pointed to Ebanks’ history. In 2009, he was released from prison after serving a sentence for rape. Within weeks of his release, he committed a burglary with the intention to commit rape for which he was given a 10-year sentence. Then in 2016, after having served two-thirds of the sentence, he was released on licence. Within months of being released, he committed an act of gross indecency, for which he is currently serving a six- year sentence. The sexual harm prevention order, which lasts for seven years, will commence upon his release date. “It [the sexual harm prevention order] was wholly protective in light of what it was designed to achieve.” said the judges. “We therefore see it as highly appropriate that it be implemented, despite the law and its retrospective powers not being in force at the time of the commission of the offence.” Rapist loses fight to lift sexual harm prevention order “It [sexual harm prevention order] was wholly protective in light of what it was designed to achieve. We therefore see it as highly appropriate that it be implemented, despite the law and its retrospective powers not being in force at the time of the commission of the offence.” Court of Appeal judges A police officer escaped with minor injuries Thursday afternoon after two squad cars collided with one another in Bodden Town. The two cars were responding to a report around 4pm when they crashed into each other on Shamrock Road in the vicinity of Agricola Drive, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said in a statement. Police said the vehicles were travelling eastbound when they collided. One of the drivers, police said, sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital and was later discharged. The driver of the second police car was not injured. Police said the matter is under investigation. 2 police cars crash into each other Police said the vehicles were travelling eastbound when they collided . Water Authority – Cayman is advising its customers in North Side, East End and Bodden Town of possible low water pressure this week as work is carried out at the company’s North Side pump station. Works will be conducted between 11am and 1pm, in intervals lasting no longer than 10 minutes, the Water Authority said in a statement. The work is expected to be completed on Friday, 15 Nov. Water pump station work under way Crimes Ebanks has been convicted of Rape Burglary with the intention to commit rape Gross indecency Indecent assault cayman compass 9 news N news TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2019Next >